Lenovo’s Legion line is the most upgrade-friendly gaming laptop range on the market. Unlike many competitors that solder everything down, Legion machines (with one crucial exception) come with accessible SO-DIMM RAM slots and M.2 SSD bays. This guide covers every Legion model, what you can upgrade, and exactly which components are compatible.
Whether you’re looking to boost your Legion 5 with extra RAM for streaming, add NVMe storage to your Legion 7, or replace a charger, you’ll find the exact specifications and compatible parts here.
Legion Gaming Laptop Models — Upgrade Reference
| Model | RAM Type | Max RAM | SSD Slots | Charger | Thunderbolt | Upgrade Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legion 5 (2024) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 32–64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 170–230W barrel | TB4 (Intel only) | 5/5 |
| Legion 5i (2024) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 32–64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 170–230W barrel | TB4 | 5/5 |
| Legion 5 Pro (2023–24) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 230–300W barrel | None | 5/5 |
| Legion 5i Pro (2023–24) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 230–300W barrel | TB4 | 5/5 |
| Legion 7 (2023–24) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 230–330W barrel | TB4 | 5/5 |
| Legion 7i (2023–24) | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | 64 GB | 2× M.2 2280 | 230–330W barrel | TB4 | 5/5 |
| Legion Slim 5 (2024) | LPDDR5X Soldered | 32 GB | 1× M.2 2280 | 140–170W USB-C / barrel | TB4 (varies) | 2/5 |
| Legion Slim 5i (2024) | LPDDR5X Soldered | 32 GB | 1× M.2 2280 | 140–170W USB-C / barrel | TB4 | 2/5 |
| Legion Slim 7 (2023–24) | LPDDR5X Soldered | 32 GB | 1× M.2 2280 | 170–230W USB-C | TB4 | 2/5 |
| IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2024) | DDR5 or DDR4 SO-DIMM | 32 GB | 1–2× M.2 2280 | 140–180W barrel | None | 4/5 |
Key takeaway: Legion 5 / 5 Pro / 7 series are fully upgradeable with dual RAM slots and dual SSD bays. Legion Slim models have soldered RAM — do not buy if you need to upgrade memory.
Legion 5 Series — The Mainstream Workhorse
2024 Legion 5 & Legion 5i Specifications
The Legion 5 is Lenovo’s mainstream gaming laptop, balancing performance and affordability. Both AMD (Legion 5) and Intel (Legion 5i) versions come with dual DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots and dual M.2 NVMe bays.
RAM: 2× SO-DIMM slots, DDR5-5600, up to 64 GB total (32 GB modules). Ships with 16–32 GB from factory. Upgrade to 48 GB or 64 GB for heavy gaming, streaming, or video editing.
Storage: 2× M.2 2280 NVMe Gen 4 slots. One bay typically has the factory drive (512 GB to 1 TB); the second slot is empty. You can add a second drive or replace both.
Charger: 170W (AMD) or 230W (Intel) barrel connector. USB-C PD charging supported on Intel models (140W); barrel recommended for gaming sessions.
Upgradeability: Fully upgradeable. RAM and SSD removal requires removing the bottom panel (13 screws, ~10 minutes). No soldered components.
Best RAM Upgrade for Legion 5
Look for DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM modules branded by Kingston (Fury Beast), Corsair (Vengeance), SK Hynix, or Crucial. Buy matched pairs for dual-channel performance — gaming frame rates depend on this.
Buy DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM on Amazon UK
Best SSD Upgrade for Legion 5
Add a second Gen 4 NVMe drive to max out storage. Popular choices: Samsung 990 EVO, Crucial P5 Plus, WD Black SN850X. All are 2280 form factor and fit the second M.2 slot.
Buy Gen 4 NVMe SSD on Amazon UK
Legion 5 Pro Series — The Mid-Range Powerhouse
2023–2024 Legion 5 Pro & Legion 5i Pro
The Pro tier sits between the standard Legion 5 and the flagship Legion 7. It delivers higher refresh rates (up to 240 Hz 1440p IPS on Intel; 165 Hz 1440p on AMD) and more power delivery for sustained gaming.
RAM: 2× SO-DIMM DDR5-5600, up to 64 GB maximum (32 GB modules). Faster VRAM bandwidth than non-Pro models aids frame rates at high refresh.
Storage: 2× M.2 2280 Gen 4 NVMe. Both bays accessible via bottom panel removal.
Charger: 230–300W barrel (Intel delivers more power for RTX 40-series cards). USB-C PD not supported; barrel charging is essential during gameplay.
Upgradeability: Fully upgradeable. Identical upgrade path to Legion 5.
Pro tip: The Legion 5 Pro runs hot. Add a 32 GB DDR5 kit to ease thermal load on the CPU during memory-bound tasks. Pair with a large Gen 4 SSD for fast loading in titles like Unreal Engine 5 games.
Legion 7 Series — Flagship Gaming Powerhouse
2023–2024 Legion 7 & Legion 7i
Legion 7 is Lenovo’s top-tier gaming machine. It ships with RTX 4070–4090 graphics, the fastest refresh rates (up to 240 Hz), and maximum power delivery (330W on Intel models).
RAM: 2× SO-DIMM DDR5-5600, 64 GB maximum. Ships with 32 GB as standard.
Storage: 2× M.2 2280 Gen 4 NVMe. RAID 0 (software) possible for ultra-fast load times; not recommended for daily productivity. Standard configuration: 1× 1 TB factory, 1× upgraded or empty.
Charger: 230–330W barrel + optional USB-C PD (140W). Barrel charging is mandatory for RTX 4090 sustained performance.
Thunderbolt: TB4 on both Legion 7 and 7i. Allows external RTX 4090 eGPU or high-speed external SSD (Thunderbolt external enclosures).
Upgradeability: Fully upgradeable. Identical to Legion 5 / 5 Pro, but Legion 7 pairs best with high-capacity (64 GB) RAM and fast secondary storage.
Recommended upgrade path: If your Legion 7 ships with 32 GB, add a second 32 GB DDR5-5600 kit. Pair with a 2 TB Gen 4 SSD in the second bay for large game libraries and 4K video projects.
Legion Slim Series — WARNING: Soldered RAM
Legion Slim 5, Slim 5i, Slim 7 (2023–2024)
CRITICAL: All Slim models have LPDDR5X RAM soldered to the motherboard. You cannot upgrade memory beyond the factory configuration. If you buy a Slim with 16 GB, you are locked to 16 GB for the machine’s lifetime.
RAM: LPDDR5X soldered, 32 GB maximum (most Slim 7s; Slim 5 typically 16 or 32 GB). Not upgradeable.
Storage: 1× M.2 2280 NVMe slot (one fewer than standard Legion). Replaceable, but no second slot.
Charger: 140–170W USB-C Power Delivery (not barrel) on some models; check your specific variant. Much lower power than standard Legion, limiting heavy GPU workloads.
Upgradeability Score: 2/5 — Only storage is upgradeable. RAM and charger are locked.
Recommendation: Only buy Legion Slim if you don’t foresee needing RAM upgrades. It’s optimized for portability (thin, light, <1.5 kg), not longevity. Standard Legion 5 is superior for upgradeable gaming.
IdeaPad Gaming 3 — Budget Entry Point
2024 IdeaPad Gaming 3 (Lenovo’s Budget Gaming Sub-Brand)
IdeaPad Gaming 3 is Lenovo’s entry-level gaming line — cheaper than Legion, but still upgradeable. Available in DDR5 or DDR4 configurations depending on processor generation.
RAM: 2× SO-DIMM DDR5-5600 (Intel/newest) or DDR4-3200 (AMD/older). Up to 32 GB total. Check your specific model’s datasheet before buying RAM.
Storage: 1–2× M.2 2280 NVMe (varies by config). Budget models have one slot; higher-end variants have two.
Charger: 140–180W barrel. Sufficient for mid-range GPU performance (RTX 4050–4060).
Upgradeability: 4/5 — Fully upgradeable RAM and storage, but smaller form factor makes disassembly slightly trickier than Legion. Similar access via bottom panel screws.
Best for: First-time gaming laptop buyers or budget-conscious upgraders. Avoid if you need Thunderbolt or want a premium build.
Best RAM for Legion Gaming Laptops
Why DDR5-5600 Matters for Gaming
Legion gaming laptops use DDR5-5600 (not 6000 or 6400). Buying faster-spec RAM wastes money—your Legion will down-clock it to 5600. The performance boost of 5600 over DDR4-3200 is ~8–15% in gaming, particularly at 1440p+ resolutions.
Dual-channel is non-negotiable: Gaming frame rates drop ~10–20% if you run single-channel (only one RAM stick). Always buy matched pairs of 32 GB modules for 64 GB total, or 16 GB pairs for 32 GB.
Recommended DDR5-5600 Kits
| Brand / Model | Capacity | Speed | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 | 2× 32 GB | DDR5-5600 | Best value, widely compatible | Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance SO-DIMM | 2× 32 GB | DDR5-5600 | Premium, RGB if you care | Amazon UK |
| Crucial DDR5 (Micron) | 2× 32 GB | DDR5-5600 | Reliable OEM partner | Amazon UK |
| SK Hynix FURY Impact | 2× 32 GB | DDR5-5600 | OEM-spec, excellent stability | Amazon UK |
Installation tip: Pop the RAM at a 45° angle into the SO-DIMM slot, then press straight down until both clips click. DO NOT force it — DDR5 slots are delicate. If it doesn’t slide in smoothly, remove and check the notch alignment.
Best SSDs for Legion Gaming Laptops
Gen 4 NVMe Is Standard
All Legion models (Legion 5 through Legion 7) support M.2 2280 Gen 4 NVMe. Gen 5 drives are backward-compatible but won’t show speed gains—save your money. Stick to proven Gen 4 models:
| Brand / Model | Capacity | Speed (MB/s) | Price (approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 EVO | 1–4 TB | 5,000 read | £80–400 | Best all-round, great lifespan |
| Crucial P5 Plus | 500 GB–2 TB | 6,600 read | £60–250 | Budget king, still very fast |
| WD Black SN850X | 500 GB–4 TB | 7,100 read | £100–500 | Gaming-optimized, fastest sustained |
| Kingston NV2 | 250 GB–1 TB | 3,500 read | £40–120 | Budget secondary drive |
| Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus | 500 GB–8 TB | 7,000 read | £60–700 | High capacity, good value |
Dual-Slot SSD Configuration (Legion 5 / 5 Pro / 7 Only)
Legion 5 / 5 Pro / 7 models have two M.2 slots. You can:
- Keep factory drive + add second drive: Factory OS on C: drive, games + projects on D: drive. Recommended for most users.
- Replace both drives: Migrate OS to larger single drive if factory is tiny (256 GB), then populate both slots. More complex but offers maximum storage.
- RAID 0 (software): Windows “Storage Spaces” can stripe two drives for ultra-fast sequential reads. Not recommended — single drive failure = total data loss. Only for disposable game libraries.
Installation: Remove bottom panel, locate the two M.2 sockets (usually stacked vertically near the RAM). Insert drive at 30° angle, press down, secure with single screw. No thermal pad needed on Legion models.
Buy Gen 4 NVMe SSDs on Amazon UK
Charger Compatibility & Replacement
Barrel vs. USB-C Power Delivery
Standard Legion 5 / 5 Pro / 7: Proprietary barrel connector (Lenovo Slim Tip or standard 7.4 mm). 170–330W depending on model. No cross-model compatibility—a Legion 5 charger (170W) won’t power a Legion 7 (330W).
Legion Slim models: USB-C Power Delivery only (140–170W). You can charge from any 140W+ USB-C PD charger (iPad Pro, MacBook, etc.), but gaming performance throttles—use official Lenovo charger for games.
Finding Your Charger Wattage
Check the sticker on your power adapter: “170W”, “230W”, or “300W”. Order the exact wattage replacement. Lenovo model numbers for chargers follow the pattern SA10M42476 (Legion 5 170W). Search Lenovo’s parts site or Amazon with your model number.
Charger Replacement Options
| Model | Charger Wattage | Connector | Lenovo Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion 5 (AMD) | 170W | Barrel 7.4mm | SA10M42476 |
| Legion 5i (Intel) | 230W | Barrel 7.4mm | SA10M42739 |
| Legion 5 Pro | 300W | Barrel 7.4mm | ASM00L93956 |
| Legion 7 / 7i | 330W | Barrel 7.4mm + USB-C PD (optional) | SB10K97598 |
| Legion Slim 5 / 7 | 170W USB-C PD | USB-C | Check model-specific |
Third-party warning: Non-Lenovo barrel chargers are cheap but unreliable. Stick to official Lenovo or well-reviewed brands (Anker GaN 240W + barrel tip adapter) if official chargers are unavailable in your region.
Buy Lenovo Legion Chargers on Amazon UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the GPU in a Legion laptop?
No. GPUs are soldered to the motherboard in all Legion models. You cannot replace or upgrade the discrete GPU (RTX 4050, 4070, etc.). CPU and RAM are upgradeable; GPU is not.
Will DDR5-6400 RAM work in my Legion 5?
Yes, it will work, but your Legion will clock it down to DDR5-5600. You’re paying extra for speed you won’t use. Buy DDR5-5600 and save £20–30 per kit.
What’s the difference between Legion 5 and Legion 5 Pro?
Legion 5 Pro has a faster display (up to 240 Hz vs. 165 Hz), RTX 40-series GPUs (vs. entry 40-series on standard 5), and higher power delivery (300W vs. 170–230W). Pro is for serious gamers; standard 5 is for general gaming and work.
Can I use two different SSDs (one Gen 4, one Gen 5) together?
Yes. Your Legion will run both at Gen 4 speeds (they share the same PCIe lane). All drives operate at the slowest device’s speed. This is fine for most users.
Is the Legion Slim worth buying if I only want it to last 2 years?
Maybe. If you’ll definitely replace it in 2 years, the Slim’s soldered RAM doesn’t matter. But standard Legion 5 costs only £50–100 more and stays useful far longer. Unless weight is critical (you carry it daily in a backpack), standard Legion is the better investment.
Can I charge a Legion 7 with USB-C Power Delivery instead of the barrel charger?
Technically yes (optional USB-C PD input on some Legion 7i models), but not during gaming. 140W USB-C PD will charge a powered-off machine, but RTX 4090 draw at load is ~350W. Barrel charging is required to maintain full performance. USB-C PD is for coffee shop top-ups only.
Related Upgrade Guides
For more Legion upgrade specifics, see our guides on laptop RAM compatibility, laptop SSD compatibility, and Lenovo laptop upgrade options by model.
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
